TEST: Direct Action Vanguard Uniform

The origins of the Direct Action (DA) brand date back to 2014 when their products were introduced by Helikon-Tex company as the Direct Action line at the IWA OutdoorClassics trade fair. Former special forces commandos were involved in the design process, and within a short time, Direct Action gained complete independence.

My first encounter with DA gear took place at the Warsaw Expo arms fair in 2014 in Warsaw. At first, I noticed a small booth filled with equipment, one of many at the event. However, upon closer inspection, I realized that I was looking at not only high-quality products but also completely newly designed gear that combined proven solutions with innovative ideas, excellent materials, and top-notch craftsmanship. The intrigue deepened when I discovered that not everything in their offering was on display. Some of the equipment, still in the testing phase, was kept in the back, accessible only to industry insiders who had the chance to glimpse what the future of tactical gear might look like. It was at that moment that I first saw and touched a plate carrier vest made using laser-cut technology, as well as a uniform with integrated knee pads and elastic inserts, paired with a combat shirt featuring a short, stand-up collar without a zipper. Today, such designs are standard, but ten years ago, these solutions were far from common. Additionally, DA designers did not simply replicate ideas from the U.S.; instead, they sought original solutions.

After ten years, it is safe to say that DA has become one of the leading European companies manufacturing and selling its products in countries such as France, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Their gear is also used by soldiers from Polish special forces units, including GROM Military Unit.

For years, uniforms used in Poland were characterized by a large number of pockets and appropriate camouflage (Wz. 93, literally Pattern 93). As a user of this equipment, I had the impression that these were the only criteria considered by superiors when ordering them. Cooperation with allies from various countries, especially American soldiers during the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, highlighted how far behind we were in meeting modern quality standards.

Polish uniforms were essentially designed for year-round use, meaning they were too warm in the summer and too breathable in the winter. The cut offered only two sizing options—too big or too small—which forced soldiers to choose the larger size. This resulted in pants cinched tightly with a belt, full of folds, and a jacket that looked like it belonged to an older brother.

Change came from the special forces, which were the first to introduce a new, anatomically friendly cut. The military’s openness to purchasing equipment from external companies paved the way for acquiring well-thought-out, high-quality gear.

The Vanguard uniform set, designed by special forces operators, was created to meet their own expectations for such a fundamental piece of equipment as a uniform.

The first surprising feature is the overall weight of the set. Size M pants weigh only 602 g. What truly makes a difference is the weight distribution along the legs, making the pants feel almost weightless when worn. Thanks to the expanded sizing options, it’s easy to match the leg length to the waist circumference without any major issues.

The pants are almost entirely made from NyCo fabric (50% polyamide, 50% cotton) with a Rip-Stop weave, ensuring resistance to tears and surface damage. To provide full freedom of movement, VersaStretch inserts (93% nylon, 7% elastane; four-way stretch) have been added in key areas, including the lower back below the waist, the crotch, and around the knee pad sections.

VersaStretch elastic inserts

The pants are fastened with a hook-and-loop closure, providing a few extra centimeters of adjustment, and the inner side of the waistband is lined with a soft padding for enhanced wearing comfort.

The Vanguard pants feature eight pockets. Starting from the top, the first are two hip pockets with edges reinforced with Cordura fabric and an inner mesh lining to enhance ventilation.

Lower down, there are double thigh pockets—one secured with a hook-and-loop fastener, featuring pleats for increased capacity, and a smaller one with a zipper closure that includes an internal organizer.

Additionally, there are two pockets located on the lower legs, secured with a hook-and-loop fastener.

The knees are reinforced with a layer of 500D Cordura, featuring an additional pocket for soft foam knee pads. Compression hook-and-loop straps are placed at the knee and ankle levels. The knee straps allow for proper adjustment of the protective area, while the ankle straps help secure the pant leg over the boot.

The sleeves of the so-called combat shirt are made from the same primary material as the pants—NyCo. They feature side pockets secured with a zipper running along the shoulder. The reinforced fabric on the stand-up collar, designed to protect the neck, is not sewn all the way around but only on the sides, where the straps of a ballistic vest typically rest. The back of the collar area features only elastic material, allowing the collar to stretch during movement without putting pressure on the neck. The sleeves have 500D Cordura reinforcements at the elbows and compression hook-and-loop straps at the wrists. The inner side of the collar is lined with soft fabric around its entire circumference for added comfort.

The flame-resistant Polartec® PowerDry FR fabric (66% modacrylic, 29% viscose, 5% elastane – with variations depending on the area) on the chest provides excellent breathability, moisture-wicking, and wearing comfort. It consists of two layers: an inner layer that quickly absorbs moisture from the skin and an outer layer that disperses moisture over a larger surface, accelerating evaporation. Its high permeability allows the skin to breathe, while efficient moisture-wicking ensures that PowerDry dries up to twice as fast as cotton. The Odor Resistant technology prevents bacterial growth. Additionally, Polartec fabric offers high UV protection and is hypoallergenic, making it ideal for individuals with sensitive skin. The torso section features strategically placed areas that ensure the fabric fits closely to the body, preventing discomfort caused by folds or chafing when wearing a vest for extended periods.

The uniform adapts to the body and, even after wearing it all day, feels as comfortable and lightweight as sportswear. The pants are tailored to fit closely, unlike the typical loose “Aladdin-style” American tactical pants. Initially, they may feel a bit tight, but it quickly becomes clear why—the design provides just the right amount of freedom to perform a full squat, lunges, or even high kicks during martial arts training without any restriction.

The slim-cut pant legs don’t flare out like a sail, twisting around with every step. Instead, the close-fitting fabric stabilizes the side pockets, allowing them to be fully loaded without the feeling of extra weight bouncing against the thigh. The compact construction prevents excess fabric from snagging when moving through tall grass or bushes in rough terrain. The four side pockets are positioned high on the thighs, making it easier to reach their bottom. This placement also eliminates the discomfort of bulky cargo pockets bouncing against the legs with each step—a common issue in standard tactical pants—while reducing pocket movement when walking or running. The smaller organizer pockets are placed on the front and secured with zippers. They are easy to access even when sitting in a vehicle. However, they are relatively narrow, so users with larger hands might find them a bit restrictive. Personally, I had no issues with them.

Full range of motion provided by only a few companies worldwide

The fabric’s thickness provides sufficient ventilation, making the set comfortable to wear even in high temperatures of around 30°C. The elastic inserts at the knees extend higher, covering the glutes, while another stretch panel is sewn along the waistband of the pants. During running or movement in difficult terrain, where larger strides are required, or when taking a kneeling shooting position, the waistband stays in place. This, in turn, ensures that the tactical belt remains stable, preventing up-and-down shifting or sideways twisting. The strategic placement of the elastic material keeps the pants securely on the hips at all times. As a result, a tucked-in thermal shirt or combat shirt stays in place, preventing exposure of the lower back—an issue that can become particularly bothersome when working in cold conditions.

This design provides incredible freedom of movement while ensuring proper air circulation. However, at temperatures around 0°C, the airflow becomes quite noticeable, chilling sweaty skin and becoming uncomfortable during rest periods. In colder temperatures, it’s essential to wear moisture-wicking thermal underwear. While in motion, ventilation is maintained, and during breaks, thermal comfort is sufficient.

The neoprene knee pad inserts, measuring 19.5 x 8.5 cm, are relatively small, so it’s important to select the correct pant length to ensure they are positioned properly over the knee. Direct Action opted against hard knee protectors for several reasons. The small, soft pads are extremely lightweight, making them virtually unnoticeable even after wearing them all day. Thanks to this design choice, the knee pad pockets could be lined with VersaStretch fabric on three sides, enhancing flexibility. At temperatures above 30°C, running all day on a shooting range won’t be completely comfortable, but at least it doesn’t feel like your skin is peeling off your knees, which is a big achievement. However, adjusting the knee straps is necessary, as the pads tend to shift. Even a slight misalignment can expose part of the kneecap when kneeling. It’s a trade-off—you gain lightweight comfort, but at the cost of some movement adjustments.

The protector is relatively narrow and must be properly positioned on the knee to prevent it from shifting sideways.

Considering that these are combat pants, designed to be worn with a belt carrying gear, the internal lining that reduces friction performs exceptionally well. The belt sits comfortably against the body, preventing chafing and absorbing moisture. Once again, the tailored fit ensures that the waistband fabric won’t fold or bunch up during use. At best, such folds would cause discomfort, and at worst, they could create irritation or even sores, worsened with every movement.

The combat shirt, like the pants, is very lightweight. The Polartec fabric on the back and chest performs exceptionally well—soft and highly flexible during movement. A heavy plate carrier with ballistic inserts will inevitably shift on the body, causing the fabric to move against the skin. However, with this shirt, I experienced no chafing, and the tailored fit prevents fabric folds, which could otherwise lead to pressure marks or even abrasions.

The moisture-wicking properties of Polartec PowerDry FR are not just a marketing gimmick. Even when completely soaked in sweat, the shirt stays close to the body but doesn’t stick uncomfortably. After removing the plate carrier, wind gusts aren’t felt on the skin like with cotton, and the fabric dries quickly. In very high temperatures, there’s no sensation of being wrapped in a hot, damp rag, which would intensify the heat. The collar, like the waistband of the pants, has an inner lining that makes it soft against the neck, significantly improving comfort.

The sleeve pockets are side-accessible and secured with zippers. Their inner lining is made of mesh, so when opened, they act as ventilation openings. Similar to the pants, the sleeves have a snug fit, but not so tight that they can’t be rolled up for extra airflow. The elbow reinforcements do their job, though it would be beneficial to have the option to add elbow pads. During rapid stance changes or crawling on a shooting range covered in gravel and rocks, I frequently hit my elbow on sharp edges—a problem that could be mitigated with additional padding.

As for the quality of the uniform’s craftsmanship—there’s nothing to complain about. After nearly a year of use in various weather and terrain conditions, there is practically no visible wear.

With or without a vest, the combat shirt fits snugly to the body without twisting.

All the seams remain intact. The elastic inserts initially seemed like the weakest component, but there are no signs of wear, stretching, or fabric damage such as pilling or structural breakdown. The NyCo base material is highly resistant to mechanical damage, and its tight weave prevents snagging on sharp objects like thorny bushes.

The gravel and rocks encountered on shooting ranges left virtually no trace on the Vanguard uniform.

The market is flooded with combat pants and shirts, but their quality doesn’t always match their price. Additionally, various technical solutions and design choices don’t necessarily hold up in real-world use. Thanks to Direct Action’s experience, gained from professionals who operate in demanding environments, they have created a uniform that prioritizes maximum comfort, ultimately enhancing performance on the battlefield. Their approach strikes a perfect balance between weight, durability, and body protection. Of course, every user might find an element they would tweak to better suit personal preferences or job-specific needs, but in my opinion, Vanguard is the most comfortable and movement-friendly uniform I have ever worn.

If you’re looking for gear that can withstand harsh conditions while delivering exceptional comfort and usability, Direct Action Vanguard is the right choice.

We would like to thank Direct Action for providing the Vanguard combat pants and combat shirt in Adaptive Green, along with the Protective Pad Inserts for testing.

Sponsored partnership. Our product tests are conducted independently, and all opinions are solely those of the author. The advertiser has no influence on the content of the review.